National Register of Historic Places listings in Dayton, Ohio facts for kids

Location of Dayton in Montgomery County

Have you ever wondered about the old buildings and special places in your town? Many cities, like Dayton, Ohio, have amazing historic spots! This page is a list of places in Dayton that are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The National Register of Historic Places is like a special list of important buildings, sites, and districts across the United States. When a place is on this list, it means it's recognized for its history, architecture, or what it means to American culture. It helps protect these places so future generations can enjoy and learn from them.

In Montgomery County, Ohio, where Dayton is located, there are 150 places on this special list. Dayton itself is home to 107 of these amazing spots! Some of them are even more important and are called National Historic Landmarks. This list focuses on the ones right here in Dayton.

Dayton's Historic Treasures

Dayton has many unique places that tell stories about its past. From old homes to famous buildings, these sites show how Dayton grew and changed over time. Let's explore some of them!

Homes with History

Many houses in Dayton have been recognized for their historical importance. These homes often belonged to important people or show special architectural styles from long ago.

• Marcus Bossler House: This house, listed in 1980, is an example of the kind of homes built in Dayton many years ago.
• James Brooks House: Added to the list in 1975, this house also shares a piece of Dayton's residential history.
• Samuel N. Brown House: Listed in 1977, this home adds to the collection of historic houses in the city.
• Jonah Bull House: This house, recognized in 2008, is another example of Dayton's historic residential buildings.
• Paul Laurence Dunbar House: This is a very special place! It was the home of Paul Laurence Dunbar, a famous African American poet. It became a National Historic Landmark in 1966, meaning it's super important to the whole country's history.
• Oscar M. Gottschall House: Listed in 1977, this house is part of Dayton's rich architectural heritage.
• Gummer House: This house, added in 1978, contributes to the story of Dayton's past residents.
• Hanitch-Huffman House: Recognized in 1982, this home is another piece of Dayton's historic fabric.
• Kelly Family Home: Listed in 1975, this house tells a story of a family important to Dayton's history.
• Lewis Kemp House: This home, added in 1975, is another example of the city's historic residential buildings.
• Daniel Miller House: Recognized in 1975, this house adds to the collection of historic homes.
• Jacob H.W. Mumma House: Listed in 1980, this house is another historic dwelling in Dayton.
• Nicholas Ohmer House: Added in 1974, this home is part of Dayton's architectural legacy.
• Isaac Pollack House: This house, recognized in 1974, helps us understand how people lived in the past.
• Rudolph Pretzinger House: Listed in 1979, this home is another example of historic residential architecture.
• Red Oak-William C. Sherman House: Added in 2000, this house is a more recent addition to the list of historic homes.
• John R. Reynolds House: Recognized in 1976, this house contributes to Dayton's historic charm.
• Edwin Smith House: Listed in 1974, this home is another important piece of Dayton's past.
• John S. Stengel House: This house was listed in 1983 but has since been demolished.
• Traxler Mansion: Added in 1979, this grand house shows the style of homes from a different era.
• Dr. Jefferson A. Walters House: Recognized in 1974, this house belonged to an important figure in Dayton.

Important Buildings and Landmarks

Dayton also has many historic buildings that served important purposes, from hotels to places of worship.

• Antioch Temple: This building, listed in 2013, is a significant structure in Dayton.
• Biltmore Hotel: Once a grand hotel, this building was added to the list in 1982.
• Bimm Fireproof Warehouse: Recognized in 2016, this warehouse shows the city's industrial past.
• Commercial Building: This building, listed in 1982, is an example of historic commercial architecture.
• Conover Building: Added in 1975, this building is another historic commercial structure.
• Dayton Arcade: This beautiful building, listed in 1975, was once a bustling shopping and entertainment center. It's known for its amazing architecture.
• Dayton Art Institute: This museum, recognized in 1974, is not only a place for art but also a historic building itself.
• Dayton Canoe Club: Listed in 2008, this club has a long history connected to the city's rivers.
• Dayton Daily News Building: The former home of the city's newspaper, listed in 1978.
• Dayton Fire Department Station No. 16 & No. 14: These old fire stations, listed in 1980, show the history of fire protection in Dayton.
• Dayton Stove and Cornice Works: This building, listed in 1980, has been demolished, but it was once important to Dayton's manufacturing.
• Dayton Women's Club: Listed in 1975, this building has a history of supporting women's activities.
• Dayton Young Men's Christian Association Building: The YMCA building, recognized in 1988, has served the community for many years.
• Deeds Carillon: This musical tower, located in Carillon Historical Park, was listed in 2005. It's a beautiful landmark.
• Delco Building: Recognized in 2016, this building was part of Dayton's industrial growth.
• Duncarrick: Listed in 1983, this building is another historic structure in Dayton.
• Eagles Building: This building, added in 1982, was once a meeting place for a fraternal organization.
• Engineers Club of Dayton: Listed in 2007, this club building has a rich history related to engineering and innovation.
• Exposition Hall, Montgomery County Fairgrounds: This hall, recognized in 2003, was a key part of the county fair for many years.
• First Lutheran Church: This church, listed in 1983, is a historic place of worship.
• Grant-Deneau Tower: A more modern building, but still recognized for its architecture in 2016.
• Graphic Arts Building: Listed in 2009, this building was important for printing and design.
• Holy Cross Lithuanian Roman Catholic Church: This church, recognized in 1991, served a specific community in Dayton.
• Independent Order of Oddfellows, Dayton Lodge No. 273: This building, listed in 1984, was a meeting place for a historic group.
• Insco Apartments Building: Recognized in 1994, this apartment building has historical significance.
• Jacob O. Joyce House: Listed in 1983, this house is another historic residential property.
• Julienne Girls Catholic High School: This school, listed in 2009, was demolished in 2012.
• Lafee Building: Added in 1980, this building is another example of historic commercial architecture.
• Linden Recreation and Community Center: This center, listed in 2014, has been important for community activities.
• Lindsey Building: Recognized in 1985, this building is another historic commercial structure.
• McCormick Manufacturing Company Building: Listed in 2001, this building shows Dayton's manufacturing past.
• Memorial Hall: This grand hall, added in 1988, has hosted many events in Dayton.
• Montgomery County Courthouse: The county's main courthouse, listed in 1970, is a very important civic building.
• Mutual Home & Savings Association Building: Also known as Liberty Tower, this building was listed in 1982.
• Old Post Office and Federal Building: This historic building, listed in 1975, once served as the city's main post office.
• Rubicon Farm: Also known as Patterson Homestead, this farm, listed in 1976, has a long history in Dayton.
• Sachs and Pruden Ale Company Building: This building, listed in 1991, was once a brewery and now houses part of the Dayton Metro Library.
• Sacred Heart Catholic Church: This church, recognized in 1987, is a historic place of worship.
• St. Adalbert Polish Catholic Church: Listed in 1991, this church served the Polish community.
• St. Mary Roman Catholic Church: This church, added in 1983, is another historic place of worship.
• St. Mary's Hall, University of Dayton: Located at the University of Dayton, this hall was listed in 1973.
• Hyman Schriber Building: Recognized in 1988, this building has historical significance.
• Shawen Acres: Listed in 1991, this property is another historic site in Dayton.
• Sig's General Store: This old store, added in 1991, gives us a glimpse into past commerce.
• Southern Ohio Lunatic Asylum: This historic institution, listed in 1979, has a complex past.
• Stivers High School: This school, recognized in 2001, has educated many Dayton students over the years.
• Unit III, Dayton Project: This site, listed in 2006, was part of a secret project during World War II.
• United Brethren Publishing House: Also known as the Centre City Building, this building was listed in 1993.
• Victory Theater Building: Now known as the Victoria Theatre, this historic theater was listed in 1972.
• Westbrock Funeral Home: This funeral home, listed in 1988, has served the community for a long time.
• Weustoff and Getz Company: Recognized in 2014, this building was part of Dayton's industrial history.
• Women's Christian Association: This building, listed in 1976, was unfortunately torn down in 2007.
• Woodland Cemetery Gateway, Chapel and Office: These structures within the historic Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum were listed in 1978.

Historic Districts and Areas

Some areas in Dayton are so full of historic buildings that the whole neighborhood is listed as a "historic district."

• Central Avenue Historic District: This area, listed in 1982, contains many historic buildings.
• Dayton Motor Car Company Historic District: Recognized in 1984, this district tells the story of early car manufacturing in Dayton.
• Dayton Power and Light Building Group: This group of buildings, listed in 2006, was important for providing power to the city.
• Dayton Terra-Cotta Historic District: Listed in 1984, this district features buildings with special terra-cotta decorations.
• Dayton View Historic District: This neighborhood, recognized in 1984, is known for its historic homes and streets.
• Dunbar Historic District: This area, listed in 1980, is important because of its connection to Paul Laurence Dunbar and the community around him.
• East Second Street District: This district, listed in 1979, once had six historic buildings, but they have all been demolished.
• East Third Street Historic District: Recognized in 2001, this district features historic buildings along East Third Street.
• Fire Blocks Historic District: This area, listed in 1992, is known for its historic commercial buildings.
• Grafton-Rockwood Historic District: This residential area, listed in 2010, has many historic homes.
• Huffman Historic District: Recognized in 1982, this neighborhood is full of historic houses.
• Kenilworth Avenue Historic District: This area, listed in 2006, features historic homes along Kenilworth Avenue.
• Kossuth Colony Historic District: This district, recognized in 1979, has a unique history related to a specific community.
• McPherson Town Historic District: Listed in 1988, this neighborhood is known for its historic charm near the river.
• Oregon Historic District: This lively neighborhood, listed in 1975, is one of Dayton's oldest and most well-preserved areas, with many historic homes and businesses.
• South Park Historic District: This neighborhood, recognized in 1984, is another area with many historic homes.
• Squirrel-Forest Historic District: Listed in 2010, this district features historic homes and streets.
• Steele's Hill-Grafton Hill Historic District: This area, recognized in 1986, is known for its historic architecture.
• West Third Street Historic District: This district, listed in 1989, features historic buildings along West Third Street.
• Woodland Cemetery Association of Dayton Historic District: The entire historic Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum, listed in 2011, is recognized for its beauty and history.

Sites of National Importance

Some places in Dayton are so important that they are recognized as National Historic Landmarks.

• Central Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers: This site, listed in 2004, was a home for soldiers who fought for the country. It became a National Historic Landmark in 2012.
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park: This park, listed in 1988, includes several sites important to the Wright brothers and their invention of flight.
• SunWatch Indian Village: Also known as the Incinerator Site, this ancient village, listed in 1975, is a National Historic Landmark. It shows how people lived in Ohio thousands of years ago.
• Wright Cycle Company-Wright and Wright Printing Offices: This building, listed in 1986, is where the Wright brothers had their bicycle shop and printing business. It's a National Historic Landmark because it's where they worked on their flying ideas!
• Wright Flyer III: This famous airplane, located at Carillon Park, was listed in 1990. It's a National Historic Landmark because it was a key step in the history of aviation.

Other Notable Listings

• Deeds' Barn: This barn, listed in 1979, was moved to Carillon Historical Park to preserve its history.
• Lichliter Mound and Village Site: This ancient site, listed in 1973, shows evidence of early human settlements in the area.
• Miami Valley Golf Course and Clubhouse: This golf course, listed in 2015, is special because it's partly in Dayton and partly in another part of Montgomery County.

Places No Longer Listed

Sometimes, a place might be removed from the National Register of Historic Places. This can happen if a building is torn down or loses its historical features.

• Classic Theater: This theater was listed in 1975 but was removed in 1995.
• Orville Wright Laboratory: This laboratory, where Orville Wright worked, was listed in 1973 but removed in 1980.